IUE-CWA LOCAL 89850 BYLAWS ARTICLE I - NAME This organization shall be known as IUE-CWA Local (89850), Communications Workers of America, and shall be affiliated with the state and local AFL-CIO Councils. ARTICLE II - JURISDICTION Jurisdiction of this Local shall be the jurisdiction assigned by the Union and appearing on the face of the Local Charter. ARTICLE III - OBJECTS Section 1. The objects and purposes of this Local are to represent, protect, maintain and advance the interests of the workers within its jurisdiction; to improve their wages, hours and conditions of employment; to engage in legislative, political, educational, civic, welfare and other activities which further, directly or indirectly, the interests of the membership of this organization, of the Union in accordance with the Rules of the Division and the Constitution and policies of the Union, and of workers everywhere in the improvement of general economic and social conditions in the United States of America and Canada, and generally in the nations of the world. Section 2. To achieve the objectives and purposes of this organization, the funds of this organization are authorized to be managed, invested, expended or used not only for the purposes and objectives expressly set forth in this and the Union's Constitution, but also for any additional purposes and objectives not inconsistent therewith as may be contained at any time in the resolutions and programs adopted and/or ratified by conventions of the Union, Conferences of the Division or by the membership of this Local. ARTICLE IV - LOCAL STRUCTURE The structure of the Local shall consist of the following: 1. Membership 2. Executive Board 3. Officers 4. Committees ARTICLE V - MEMBERSHIP Section 1 - Eligibility Any person eligible for membership in the Union, as defined in Article V of the CWA Constitution, shall be eligible for membership in this Local, if performing work within the Local's assigned jurisdiction, or if employed on a part-time or full-time basis by the Union or the Local. Section 2 - No person, otherwise eligible for membership, shall be denied membership in the Union because of craft, race, color, sex, religion, age, marital/parental status, national origin, physical handicap, sexual orientation, or status as a veteran.
Section 3 - No person, otherwise eligible for membership in this Division, shall be admitted to membership if the person has been fined, suspended or expelled by a local of this Union, until the person has complied with the terms of such fine, suspension or expulsion. Section 4 - Application Membership in the Local shall be obtained upon payment of the Local initiation fee of five dollars and/or upon the approval of any membership committee and/or the Executive Board authorized to accept or reject membership on behalf of the Local, subject to the right of the Local to overrule the decision of a membership committee. Each member shall be deemed to have pledged himself or herself to support the Constitution of the CWA, the Rules of the IUE-CWA Division, and to comply with the obligations required by the Local Union. Section 5 - Transfers The transfer of membership from this Local to the jurisdiction of another Local or from another Local to the jurisdiction of this Local shall be made in accordance with Article V, Section 3 of the Union Constitution. Section 6 - Withdrawal A withdrawal card shall be issued by this Local in accordance with Article V, Section 4(c) of the Union's Constitution. In the event a withdrawal cardholder obtains employment under the jurisdiction of this Local, he or she shall be admitted to membership in accordance with the Union's Constitution. ARTICLE VI - LOCAL DUES AND ASSESSMENTS Section 1 - Local Dues A. Effective January 1, 2009, each member of the Local shall pay minimum membership dues of two and one-quarter hours' pay per month, in accordance with convention action. Prior to January 1, 2009, the minimum dues of IUE-CWA Division members shall be two and one-quarter hours straight time pay up to the limits described below: Year Monthly Minimum Dues Limit 2003 30 2004 32 2005 34 2006 36 2007 38 2008 40 [Note: Locals whose dues currently exceed the transition period amounts will continue to use their current amount.]
B. Membership dues which exceed in amount the minimum membership dues may be authorized by a majority of those voting on the question, in accordance with the Local bylaws as set out below. Dues in excess of the minimum dues shall be retained by the Local. C. Membership dues may be increased above the constitutionally mandated Union's minimum by a majority of those members of the Local voting on the question by secret ballot referendum, or by a majority secret ballot vote in a meeting where a quorum is present, if the question has been advertised on bulletin boards at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting or by notice mailed postage prepaid to each member at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting. Section 2 - Local Special Assessments The membership of this Local may levy a special assessment only in the same manner as provided for changing Local dues. However, any special assessments levied shall be in compliance with Article VI, Section 3 of the Union Constitution. ARTICLE VII - GOVERNING AUTHORITY The affairs of this Local shall be governed by its membership in accordance with the Constitution and policies of the Union in the following manner: 1. Through action taken in membership meetings or by referendum of the membership; 2. Through actions and decisions of the Executive Board between membership meetings; and 3. Through actions and decisions of the Local Officers between meetings of the Executive Board. ARTICLE VIII - LOCAL MEETINGS Regular scheduled rotating meetings of this Local shall be held at such time and place as the Executive Board Members may determine by vote. General Membership will be notified of meeting place and time minimum of (14) days in advance. Special meetings may be called by a majority vote of the Local Executive Board, or by a petition signed by a simple majority of the General Membership. Upon receipt of a proper petition, the Local officers shall call a special meeting for the purpose set forth in the petition to be held within ten (10) days. ARTICLE IX - LOCAL DELEGATES TO THE UNION CONVENTION A. Delegates and alternate delegates to the Union Convention shall be Elected. B. It shall be the duty of the Secretary-Treasurer (or Secretary) of the Local to certify the Local delegates to the Union Convention to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Union within the time limits specified in Article VIII of the Union Constitution. ARTICLE X - LOCAL COMMITTEES
A. The Local may choose to have the following standing committees, if deemed necessary to the functionality of the Local, with the following duties: 1. Community Services - The Community Services Committee shall assist in developing all Community Services programs. 2. Education Committee - The Education Committee shall assist in developing the Local's education program and, with the Local officers, be responsible for effectuating the Union's, Division's and Local's educational programs. 3. Election Committee - The Election Committee shall conduct all nominations and elections and referenda of this Local. 4. Committee on Equity - The Committee on Equity shall study and report to the Local on the ways and means of eliminating discrimination on the basis of sex, race or any other basis. 5. Legislative-Political Committee -- The Legislative-Political Committee shall assist in developing and pursuing the program of the Union and the Local in the Legislative-Political arena. It shall be responsible for the Local's program to register each qualified voter. 6. Membership Committee - The Membership Committee shall accept or reject membership applications in accordance with the bylaws and rules of this Local and Article V of the CWA Constitution and policies of the Union. 7. Organizing Committee - The Organizing Committee shall assist the Local officers and members in organizing all non-union employees within the Local's jurisdiction as well as unorganized workers in external units. 8. Safety and Health Committee - The Safety and Health Committee shall be responsible to be knowledgeable about safety and health issues affecting the membership in their work. They shall work with the employer and the Education Committee to inform the members on Health and Safety issues. 9. Skilled Trades - The Skilled Trades Committee shall ensure that the interests, including training, apprenticeship and contract issues, of the skilled trades members are addressed. 10. Other Committees As determined by need or necessity. B. The President shall appoint the members of each Committee, subject to the approval of the Executive Board. The President shall appoint the chairperson of each committee.
C. Vacancies on committees shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointments. D. Any member of any Local committee may be removed by majority vote of the Local Executive Board, subject to the right of the Local to overrule the action of the Executive Board. A committee member may be removed by action of the Local in a membership meeting. ARTICLE XI - ORDER OF BUSINESS A. The order of business at a Local meeting shall be as follows: 1. Call to order/pledge of allegiance. 2. Roll Call/sign in sheet (mandatory) 3. Reading and action on minutes of previous meeting 4. Report of officers and Executive Board 5. Report of committees 6. Unfinished business 7. New business 8. Adjournment B. The order of business may be suspended by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present. ARTICLE XII - LOCAL OFFICERS, EXECUTIVE BOARD, STEWARDS AND THEIR DUTIES Section 1 - Local Officers A. The officers of the Local shall be: 1. Local President 2. Local Vice President 3. Local Secretary or Recording Secretary 4. Local Treasurer and/or Financial Secretary 5. Chief Steward of the Local 6. Chief Steward of the Lamp Distribution Facility 7. Three trustees B. The duties of Local officers shall be as follows: 1. The Local President shall: a. Be responsible for the conduct of all Local business; b. Preside at Local Membership and Local Executive Board meetings; c. Approve all bills to be paid, and countersign all checks drawn on the Local treasury;
d. Preserve order, interpret and enforce the Constitution and bylaws of the Local and enforce the Constitution of the International Union; e. Be an ex-officio member of all committees; but shall have no vote at such meetings, except in case of a tie; f. Appoint, subject to the approval of the Executive Board, all special committees when an election of same is not called for; g. Be accountable to the Executive Board; h. Be an automatic delegate to all bodies to which the Local sends a delegate; i. Be responsible to direct the Local's COPE, legislative and organizing activities and take actions as necessary to ensure the effective implementation of these programs within the Local Union; j. Send a copy of the annual audit and official notice, in conjunction with the Recording Secretary, that the Local's books and records have been audited and stating the condition of the books and records to the Division President and the CWA Secretary-Treasurer; and k. Perform such other additional duties as may be assigned by the Local, the Local Executive Board or required by the policies or Constitution of the Union. l. Be bonded, as must any other person who handles local funds or other property in accordance with the Union Constitution or any state or federal law; m. At his/her discretion appoint any non paid/non monetary consultants and advisors (ie: business agent) 2. The Local Vice President shall: a. Work under the direction of the Local President; and b. Perform such other additional duties as may be assigned by the Local, the Local Executive Board or the Local President. 3. The Local Secretary/Recording Secretary shall: a. Maintain a record of the Local membership; b. Record and maintain the minutes of all meetings of the Local and the Local Executive Board; c. Furnish the Division Vice President and the International Secretary-Treasurer copies of any changes in these bylaws within ten (10) days after such changes are adopted;
d. Certify the Local delegates to the Union Convention to the International Secretary-Treasurer within the time limits specified in Article VIII of the Union Constitution; and e. Perform such other additional duties as may be assigned by the Local, the Local Executive Board or the Local President. f. Whenever this Local amends its bylaws, that fact must be reported to: 4. The Local Treasurer/Financial Secretary shall: 1. The Division President. 2. The International Secretary-Treasurer. 3. The Office of Labor Management Standards. (2 copies) 4.The International Revenue Service. a. Be custodian of all assets of the Local; b. Report to each membership meeting on the financial status of the Local; c. Be bonded, as must any other person who handles Local funds or other property in accordance with the Union Constitution or any state or federal law; d. Cause the payment of all bills approved by the Local President; e. Cause the proper filing of all reports or filings required by federal, state or local law; and f. Perform such other additional duties as may be assigned by the Local, the Local Executive Board or the Local President. 5. The Chief Steward shall: a. Preside over all meetings of the Stewards Council. b. See that all provisions of the contract are enforced. c. Instruct and assist all stewards, including Lighting Chief Steward, in any emergency situations that may arise. d. Respond to emergency calls from union members where stewards are unable to act. e. Check the activities of the stewards in order to improve the functioning of the stewards system and to make reports and
6. The Trustees shall: Section 2 - The Steward System recommendations to the meetings of the Executive Board for this purpose. a. Audit all books and records of the Local quarterly, and witness the official report by the President and Secretary of the Local to the International's Secretary-Treasurer that the Local's books and records have been audited. b. Furnish a written report of findings and recommendations at the next regular meeting following such audit. c. Safeguard all properties of the Local. d. Secure, tally and certify the ballots on any and all matters that the Executive Board takes to the General Membership for a vote. A. All zone/shift stewards shall be elected. The number of stewards and the method of filling vacancies occurring between annual elections shall be determined by the Executive Board. B. Stewards shall enforce the contract and protect and advance the rights of the workers. This includes: 1. Handling grievances; 2. Watching for violations of contract and of labor laws affecting workers; 3. Calling meetings of employees in their section to discuss problems; and 4. Reporting to the Chief Steward with respect to grievances and other matters arising under the contract. C. The duties of Local Stewards shall be as follows: 1. Informing members of union meetings, activities, goals, policies and accomplishments; 2. Getting acquainted with new members as soon as possible and providing them with information about the Union. 3. Keeping informed on all matters of general concern to the Local. 4. Supporting the political and educational work of the Union. 5. Attending meetings of the Local Union membership and other appropriate meetings.
Section 3 - Local Executive Board A. The duties of the Local Executive Board shall be as follows: 1. Be responsible for making decisions and taking action on behalf of the Local membership between Local meetings on all matters concerning the good and welfare of the members; 2. Meet as necessary. The Local President shall call a meeting of the Executive Board whenever requested by a majority of the Board members to do so. 3. Determine the financial arrangements necessary to ensure that the business of the Local functions in an orderly way. 4. Be responsible for the operation of strike action procedures as outlined in the Union Constitution. 5. Actions and decisions of the Executive Board shall be subject to approval by the membership. 6. A majority of the Executive Board shall constitute a quorum. 7. All decisions of the Executive Board shall be by a majority of those members present. 8. The Executive Board at any time may require from an officer a full and detailed statement of account of any action or business done in the name of the Local. B. Officers and members of the Local Union shall not be loaned funds of the Local Union, nor shall they use funds of the Local for purposes not related to the Local's official activities. ARTICLE XIII- COMPENSATION FOR ELECTED AND APPOINTED OFFICIALS OF THE LOCAL A. All elected and appointed officials are entitled to compensation for work/time performed on behalf of the Local on a quarterly basis (every three months) based on top pay in the respective bargaining units as follows: 1. President - 10 hours 2. Vice President -10 hours 3. Chief Steward-5 hours 4. LAMDC Chief Steward - 5 hours 5. Recording Secretary - 5 hours 6. Financial Secretary -10 hours 7. Local Stewards -3 hours 8. Trustees Paid at their regular hourly rate for work/time performed on behalf of the Local.
B. In the event of a vacancy in any given position listed above the individual filling the vacancy on an interim basis shall be entitled to the appropriate compensation for that position. C. LOST TIME COMPENSATION 1. REGULARLY SCHEDULED BUSINESS In order to conduct the Local s business in a timely and uniform manner, all union officials and trustees shall be entitled up to 8 hours of lost time compensation each month for any regularly scheduled union business without having to secure prior approval from the general membership. 2. SPECIAL, UNUSUAL, AND EMERGENCY BUSINESS In the event of any special situation requiring an immediate meeting of the Local s officers, as determined by the President or Executive Board; over and above any regularly scheduled meetings, the maximum amount of lost time compensation per participating union official is 16 hours per month for such unscheduled business. ARTICLE XIV - CONDUCT OF MEETINGS, OTHER LOCAL BUSINESS AND QUORUM A. Membership meetings and any other business of this Local shall be conducted under these bylaws and rules of the Local and in conformity with the Division Rules and Union Constitution. On questions where the Local Constitution/bylaws, the Division rules or the Union Constitution do not clearly apply, Robert's Rules of Order shall govern. B. The number constituting a quorum for Local meetings shall be those present. C. A majority of the officers of the Executive Board or a majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum for those bodies. ARTICLE XV - NOMINATION AND ELECTION OF LOCAL OFFICERS AND MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL EXECUTIVE BOARD Section 1 - Nominations A. Members of the Executive Board shall be nominated by mail in the month of September of each applicable election year. At least 15 days prior to the announcement of the opening of nominations the President shall announce to the membership, by posting notices on appropriate bulletin boards, that nominations shall be held by mail. B. The order of nominations shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Chief Steward, and the Lighting Chief Steward. C. Only members in good standing shall be eligible for nomination for office. Retired members shall not be eligible to be nominated for the offices of President, Vice President or Chief Steward. The nomination procedure set forth in this Article shall be exclusive. No member whose dues have been withheld by the employer for payment to the Local pursuant to the
voluntary authorization provided for in a collective bargaining agreement shall be ineligible to be a candidate for office or to vote by reason of delay or default in the payment of the dues so withheld. D. A member in good standing is that individual who has fulfilled the requirements for membership and has not voluntarily withdrawn, been suspended or censured, or who is at the time of the election process, subject to any type of disciplinary action imposed by the Local for a continuous period of 1 year past the successful completion of the company mandated probationary period. That Individual who has not defaulted, or is in arrears; but is current in their dues payments to the Local. Any member who finds themselves on Workman s Compensation/Disability status during the tri-annual election process will for intents and purposes consider themselves to be current in their dues payments and remain members in good standing if they met the above criteria prior to their injury and their inability to remain on the job. E. Nominees may accept nomination to only one office. F. Nominees shall be informed by the Secretary personally within 10 days of opening of nominations for the office of which they were nominated. Nominees are required to reply within 10 calendar days following the date of nomination of the office for which they have been nominated and asked to reply within 11 calendar days if they accept or decline the nomination. Any such nominee failing to reply within the specified time shall be deemed to have declined the nomination. Section 2 - Elections A. Elections of Executive Board members shall be by secret ballot of the membership in the month of November of each applicable election year. B. No absentee ballots or write in candidates will be allowed for Executive Officer Elections or any other vote taken to the General Membership. Section 3 The Local Election Committee shall be composed of the Trustees. A. The nomination and election of members of the Executive Board shall be conducted under the supervision of the Election Committee. This committee shall have the authority and responsibility to see that nominations and elections are conducted in accordance with federal law, the Union Constitution and these bylaws, with reasonable opportunity for each member to nominate and vote for the candidate of his/her choice. B. The Election Committee shall also conduct any referenda submitted to the membership. C. A member shall not be permitted to serve on the Election Committee if he/she is a candidate for any office of the Local or delegate to the CWA Convention. D. All questions concerning the conduct and challenges of elections shall be determined by the Election Committee, subject to the right of appeal to the governing body and membership of the Local.
Section 4 - General Provisions A. Only members of the Local in good standing shall be eligible to vote. B. The nominee in any election receiving the majority of the votes cast shall be declared elected. If no one nominee has a majority on the first ballot, the vote shall be taken again and the two nominees having the greatest number of votes on the first ballot shall be nominees on the second ballot. C. The term of office shall be for three (3) years. D. The officers shall take office in the month of November of the Election Year. Section 5 - Vacancies A vacancy in the office of Local President shall be filled by the Local Vice President. Vacancies in other offices shall be filled by appointment of the governing body of the Local, subject to approval of the appointment by the Local membership within sixty (60) days. ARTICLE XVI - STRIKES The calling, conduct and termination of strikes affecting this Local shall at all times be carried out in compliance with the rules prescribed by the Union and Article XVIII of its Constitution. ARTICLE XVII - CHARGES, TRIAL AND APPEALS Section 1 - Charges Members of this Local may be fined, suspended and/or expelled, in the manner provided in these bylaws, for any of the acts enumerated in Article XIX of the Union Constitution. Section 2 - Trials Any accused member, including officers, of this Local shall be tried under the provisions of Article XX of the Union Constitution. Section 3 - Appeals A member or officer of this Local, upon being found guilty by a Local Trial Court, may appeal as provided in Article XX of the Union Constitution. Section 4 - Local Trial Court A Trial Court of this Local shall be composed of 5 persons, who are members of this Local and not parties to the proceedings, and who shall be selected by the Executive Board of the Local.
ARTICLE XVIII - RECALL OF LOCAL OFFICERS Any elected officer or executive board member of this Local may be recalled in accordance with the provisions of Articles XXI, Section 2, and XXII, Sections 8 and 9, of the Union Constitution. ARTICLE XIX - AMENDMENTS TO LOCAL BYLAWS Copies of these Bylaws shall be distributed by the Local to all new members and be available upon request to any members. These Local Union Bylaws and amendments thereto shall become effective upon their adoption by the Local, if they do not conflict with the IUE-CWA Division Rules or the Constitution of the CWA; subject, however, to the approval of the IUE-CWA Executive Council and, after the transition period, the Division President and the CWA Executive Board. The Local shall send for review copies of the Bylaws and any amendments thereto to the Division, within thirty days following their adoption. If these Bylaws or part thereof is disapproved, the Bylaws or part disapproved shall become ineffective. In the event of a conflict between these Bylaws and the IUE-CWA Division Rules or the Constitution of the CWA, as such may hereafter be amended, the Division Rules and the CWA Constitution shall prevail. After adoption, these bylaws may be amended by either of the following methods: 1. Majority vote of the members present in the Local meeting, if the proposed amendment has been introduced at a previous membership meeting or has been advertised to the membership by use of the Local newsletter, Bulletin Boards or U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, at least seven (7) days in advance of the meeting; or 2. Referendum of the membership. ARTICLE XX - REFERENDUM OF THE LOCAL A. The Local Election Committee shall submit any question(s) to a referendum of the membership when directed to do so by the governing body of the Local or by action of a regular or special membership meeting. B. Questions submitted to referendum shall be determined by a majority vote of those voting on the question. ARTICLE XXI - FISCAL YEAR AND AUDIT A. The fiscal year of this Local shall be from July 1st of each year to and including June 30th of the succeeding year. B. The financial records of this Local shall be audited by a Certified Public Accountant, or by a committee established by the Local, at the end of each fiscal year. The results of such audit
shall be made available for the inspection of any member of the Local and a copy thereof shall be sent to the Division President and the CWA Secretary-Treasurer. ARTICLE XXII - OATH OF OFFICE Each elected officer of the Local, after meeting all other qualifications, shall be duly installed upon taking the following oath: Installing Officer: Brother or Sister..., do you accept the office to which you have been elected? Officer Elected: I do. Installing Officer: Raise your right hand and repeat after me: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) in the presence of the assembled members that I will faithfully execute the office to which I have been elected; and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend, the Constitution of the CWA, the Rules of the IUE-CWA Division, and the Constitution/Bylaws of Local. I further swear (or affirm) that I will protect and conserve the property of this Local, and that I will make an accounting for, and turn over all such property to my successor in office. I further swear (or affirm) that I will adhere to and support all trade union policies determined upon or subscribed to by the CWA and the IUE-CWA. ARTICLE XXIII - OATH OF MEMBERSHIP All members shall be deemed to have pledged themselves to the following obligation upon admission to membership: Member: I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will abide by the Constitution of the International Union of Electronic, Electrical, Salaried, Machine and Furniture Workers, IUE- CWA, AFL-CIO, and the rules and Constitution of the Local Union to the full extent of my ability. I hereby affirm the terms of my application for membership to this International Union. I further swear (or affirm) that I will bear faithful allegiance to the Local and International Union in their trade union policies and to my fellow members and the officers they elect. ARTICLE XXIV - ADOPTION These bylaws shall be adopted upon the approval of a majority of the members voting upon their adoption in the membership meeting called for that purpose or by referendum of the membership. These Bylaws adopted. Revised Bylaws Adopted. Revised Bylaws Adopted.